USMNT Sept 21-23 viewing guide and open thread

There are possibly as many as four televised Bundesliga games this weekend that could see Americans in the starting lineups, a Sunday match-up that could see two American forwards face off, and a full slate of Liga MX and MLS action. Let’s get right to it.

Friday

Stuttgart v Fortuna Dusseldorf - 2:30p on FS2

Alfredo Morales scored the opening goal for Fortuna Dusseldorf last weekend in their 2-1 win over Hoffenheim, it was Dusseldorf’s first win on the season. This weekend, they’ll be taking on a Stuttgart team still looking for their first win and coming off a 3-3 draw with SC Freiberg. Morales has integrated himself nicely with Dusseldorf since coming over from Ingolstadt this summer, starting all three of their games and going the full 90 in each.

Other Notes:

• Puebla v America - 10p on Univision Deportes: Joe Corona has failed to appear in the last five matches for America.

Saturday

Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund - 9:30a on FS1

Christian Pulisic returned from injury and came off the bench to score the game’s only goal in Dortmund’s midweek Champions League match Tuesday. The goal was a bit fluky, but a heck of a birthday present as the young man was celebrating his 20th birthday. Given that he was a substitute on Tuesday, it would seem likely that Pulisic would be available to start on Saturday though his recent return from injury does cloud matters a bit. Dortmund will be looking for their third win on the season against a Hoffenheim team that has one win and is coming off a midweek draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in their first ever Champions League appearance.

Hertha Berlin v Borussia Mönchengladbach - 9:30a on FS2

Fabian Johnson, America’s other Bundesliga goal scorer in the 2018/19 season, will take the field with Borussia Mönchengladbach Saturday looking for their third win on the season as well. They’ll be taking on a Hertha Berlin that likewise has seven points and a matching +3 goal differential. Johnson looks to be a key contributor for Gladbach this season and it will be interesting to see if he’s brought back to the United States Men’s National Team at some point or if he’s effectively retired from International action.

Schalke 04 v Bayern Munich - 12:30p on FS2

Weston McKennie and Schalke are looking for their first points on the young season, but things won’t get any easier this weekend as they take on a Bayern Munich team who unsurprisingly are perfect through their first three games. Schalke are coming off a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener a match against Porto in which McKennie set up the team’s only goal.

Schalke have only managed two goals through their first three games and will need to generate some more offense if they’re hoping to stay near the top of the table again this season.

Other Notes:

• Tim Ream has reportedly returned to training this week but likely remains out as Fulham face Watford at 7:30a on NBCSN.
• Ventura Alvarado has been a consistent 90 minute starter at centerback for Necaxa who take on Toluca at 6p on ESPN Deportes
• William Yarbrough has yet to play a league game for Leon this season, they face Lobos BUAP and Michael Orozco at 8p on Univision Deportes
• Omar Gonzalez is a regular for Liga MX’s worst team, Atlas, who have managed just a single goal through nine games. They play Cruz Azul at 10p on Univision Deportes.
• Rubio Rubin was left out of the matchday 18 for Tijuana last weekend. The team faces Pachuca at 10:06p on Fox Deportes.

Sunday

Stade Rennes v Paris Saint-Germain - 9a on beIN Sports

It’s a potential matchup of American forwards! Unfortunately, one may not want to represent us (that’d be Theoson Siebatcheu) and the other has had a hard time seeing the field. Siebatcheu was apparently contacted by American Manager Dave Sarachan this summer but has yet to be called in for the team, it’s unclear whether this is because the team is adrift and rudderless or because Siebatcheu has declined a call up. Meanwhile, Timothy Weah, who seems pretty all in on this American thing, has had difficulty seeing the field. He did not make the 18 for PSG last weekend even with Kylian Mbappe’s suspension and he was not included in the initial 23 for their midweek Champions League clash with Liverpool. However, we’re still holding out hope that the stars might align and we can see two Americans take the field and score bazillions of goals Sunday in France.

Other Notes:

• Alejandro Bedoya, Auston Trusty and the Philadelphia Union take on Matt Besler, San Zusi, Ike Opara, and Sporting Kansas City at 1p on ESPN.
• Perry Kitchen, David Bingham and the LA Galaxy face Cristian Roldan and the Seattle Sounders at 7p on FS1.